Delta Air Lines (Seattle/Tacoma) as previously reported, is building up its new and growing Seattle/Tacoma hub, the home of Boeing. The build-up at SEA is at the apparent expense of its “partner” Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) which prides itself on being “all Boeing”. Delta believes the local Seattle market is much larger than one airline and continues its build-up.
According to the local newspaper, The Seattle Times, Delta is apparently now turning to Airbus for a new round of widebody aircraft over Seattle-favorite and the hometown manufacturer Boeing. According to the report, Delta has rejected Boeing’s offer of a mix of 777-300 ERs and 787-9 Dreamliners. Instead Delta will turn to rival Toulouse-based Airbus for a new order of 25 Airbus A350-900s and 25 A330-900neos. The prospective order has not yet been officially announced or confirmed by Airbus.
According to Delta, the earlier delivery slots offered by Airbus were critical in the decision. How will this play in the growing Seattle market where everyone knows someone who works for Boeing. Will this affect their booking decisions?
Delta has also delayed Northwest’s previous order for 18 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. Clearly Airbus is the winner for its widebody needs.
Delta, to their defense, is a large Boeing 737 and 777 customer and continues to take delivery of new 737s which helps the Seattle economy.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
As the competition heats up more in the “battle for Seattle”, will Alaska play up that it is very loyal to Boeing?
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. The large Airbus fleet came mainly from the merger with Northwest Airlines along with a lot of its management who now manage the current Delta. Former Northwest Airbus A330-323 N801NW (msn 524) taxies to the international gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show: 
We don’t see quite this level of editorializing when airlines move from Airbus to Boeing!
I can understand Seattle’s concerns, but with only two players in this market, America has to go abroad sometimes for the best deal. After all, where would Boeing be if Europe refused to buy them?
“The large Airbus fleet came mainly from the merger with Northwest Airlines along with a lot of its management who now manage the current Delta.” – and this smells of conspiracy theory. Inappropriate.
Thank you Andrew. There is no “conspiracy theory” in my mind. In short, Delta made a business decision, Boeing could not deliver in time to meet their expectations and some people in Seattle will be disappointed by the decision as Delta tries to build a hub there.
All the best.
Bruce